Vienna Ball 2015 at Siam Kempinski in Bangkok

09.05.2015

For more than two centuries, Vienna has been the uncontested ball capital of the world. Each year the city hosts around 450 ball events, each representing a unique blend of age-old Austrian traditions, magnificent court ceremonies, and the trademark Viennese waltz. The Austrian Embassy in Bangkok has brought the traditional Viennese Ball to Thailand in 2015 at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok with a grand opening by debutants from prestigious Thai families, supported by waltzing couples from Vienna.

There then followed a ballet performance by dancers from the Vienna State Opera - Raffaela Pegani and Alexandru Tcacenco - and an opera performance by Daniel Serafin, a renowned Austrian opera singer. The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (BSO) under the guidance of Russell McGregor, a well noted conductor from Vienna who has intensive chamber-music career, provided classical ballroom tunes. The truly unique Vienna Ball experience was enhanced by authentic Austrian culinary arts and wine with quality and style.

Guests enjoyed an evening of dancing to beautiful music. One of the highlights proved to be the dancing of the "Quadrille", a traditional dance with square formation, where all guests were invited to participate.

A silent auction was held during the evening through the sale of high-value items donated by sponsors and honourable guests, from which all proceeds together with all ticket revenues will be donated to the Royal Project "Kamlangjai" (Inspire Project) which is led by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, and to two child charities in Pattaya: Anti Human Trafficking and Child Abuse Centre and the Child Protection and Development Centre Pattaya.

Before the Ball, guests were offered a series of complimentary dance lessons by Austria's most prestigious dancing school, "Elmayer."

His Excellency Enno Drofenik, Austrian Ambassador to Thailand, said, "We are delighted to host this traditional Viennese event which is taking place here in Bangkok for the first time since 2008. The Vienna Ball Bangkok is not only a very prominent social event, but also brings our friends from Thailand closer to the Viennese ball culture. I am proud that we were able to bring prominent artists and a chef from Vienna to Bangkok. I am even more proud that the ball has proven to be a considerable success even before it has started, thanks to major contributions by Swarovski and Siam Winery and the support of all of our sponsors. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Royal Project "Kamlangjai" (Inspire Project) and two child charities in Pattaya. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of our contributors."

The Vienna Ball Bangkok 2015 was supported by the main sponsors Swarovski and Siam Winery, as well as by many other sponsors, including Airport of Vienna, City of Vienna, Vivaldi Integrated Public Relations, Mercedes-Benz, Austrian Airlines, Siam Kempinski Bangkok, Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Elmayer Dancing School, Divana Spa, Thailand Tatler, Dance Synergy and TKI Perpetual.